Nobuyuki Tsujii performed a recital in Hong Kong on June 10, 2023.
The following article, titled "ways of hearing: 日本鋼琴家辻井伸行專訪 樂在途中 累積創作靈感"in traditional Chinese, is published by the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao 明報 and was accessed at the link here
Below is an English translation of the text of the interview.
ways of hearing: Interview with Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii; he accumulates creative inspiration while enjoying music on the road
[Mingpao News Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1:40PM]
Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii came to Hong Kong to perform for the first time after the epidemic. After a hiatus of 4 years, he participated in the Muse Festival of the University of Hong Kong (HKU MUSE), playing selected works for fans at the same venue and on the same piano [as last time in 2019]. The outside world labels him as a blind pianist, but his dedication and purity to music may be more worthy of attention. Nobuyuki Tsujii accepted an exclusive interview with this newspaper before the recital, sharing the challenges during the epidemic and future plans.
Read the composer's feelings through the score
Live performances resumed as the world gradually returned to normal. Nobuyuki Tsujii was invited by the University of Hong Kong to hold a recital on June 10. Music fans can finally experience the charm of his music for themselves. Looking back at 2019, he appeared at HKU MUSE with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. At that time, his participation only accounted for about one-third of the whole performance. This time the audience was very happy [for his solo performance].
Question: The last time you worked with an orchestra, this time you played solo. What do you think are the fun and difficulties of the two forms?
A: When working with an orchestra, the most difficult thing is to cooperate with the instructor. Although I find it difficult, I can also cooperate with the entire orchestra and enjoy the process. When playing solo, although playing alone on the stage will make one feels lonely, but I can also play according to my own rhythm, and I also enjoy this process.
Q: In addition to showing skills, performance should also pay attention to emotion. How do you usually figure out the mood of the composer, or make your own interpretation?
A: I will try my best to read the composer's feelings in the score; especially in classical music, this is a mission of a performer. On the one hand, it is to deduce the feelings of the composer, and at the same time add my own interpretation, add my own understanding and feelings, and then combine the two together to play for everyone.
Individual Talents Expanded during the Pandemic -- Online Performances
The suspension of live performances for the past 3 years has not stopped Nobuyuki Tsujii from sharing music. He opened the Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Channel on YouTube, which has been subscribed by more than 230,000 users so far. In addition to the works of famous classical musicians he excels at, the repertoire also includes the soundtrack of some Japanese dramas. The two performance clips with the highest number of views on the channel are the theme song of the same name of the 1994 Japanese drama "Come on Spring" and the well-known Christmas song in Japan, 'Song Christmas Eve'. He said that the choice of repertoire not only takes into consideration personal preferences, but he also discusses with the staff around him, hoping to choose the songs that the audience likes.
Q: Since the three-year epidemic, the opportunities for live performances have decreased. Is it a challenge?
A: Over the past few years, I had planned many performances, both at home and abroad, but because of the epidemic, they were either postponed or suspended. So I set up a YouTube channel instead, live streaming at home, hoping to bring my music to everyone through online concerts.
Q: Do you think your YouTube channel has been successful in attracting fans from all over the world?
A: I think it is successful, because I not only play classical music on YouTube, but also some Japanese pop music, so when I play both, it attracts many different people to watch.
Q: The general public may not know much about classical music. What do you think is the appeal of classical music? How to make more people understand the characteristics of classical music?
A: Classical music is difficult for ordinary people to understand and appreciate, so the most important thing is to let more people experience what classical music is all about through live performances. In addition, I have tried to perform in concerts that display famous Impressionist paintings [through screen projection], bringing a different performance to the audience.
Enjoy the performance; enjoy the playing
Nobuyuki Tsujii won the "Van Cliburn International Piano Competition" grand prize at the age of 20, becoming the first Japanese to win the prize in history. Since then, he has been continuously invited and has toured around the world. Famous at a young age, the 34-year-old still enjoys performing, connecting people of different nationalities and languages through music.
Q: Can you share an impressive performance?
A: The most impressive one was in the year of 2009. Winning the Cliburn International Piano Competition was one of the most profound and memorable experiences for me.
Q: You have participated in different competitions since you were a child, and many people know you from them. Do you think there is any difference between competition and performance?
A: The competition naturally has results: there are winners and losers, but more importantly, there is a chance to perform on stage and bring music to the audience. I feel a competition is like a [series of ] concerts, so I enjoy the competition very much.
Q: Which musician's work is your favourite?
Answer: In terms of classical music, I like Chopin and Beethoven the most, and Debussy is the impressionist. In addition to classical music, I also like jazz and traditional Japanese enka.
Q: You also compose music; what do you think is the difference between composing and performance? Can you talk about your past creative inspirations?
Answer: The main difference is that to play other people's works -- especially classical works -- the most important thing is to faithfully follow the composer's score to play. But if you create your own composition, the most important thing is to express the imagination that comes to your mind. Many times it is when traveling, or breathing the air of the mountains in nature, listening to the singing of birds -- these ways will bring inspiration.
Hope that the next generation will have access to classical music
During the interview, Nobujii did not speak using much jargon, but he always had a smile on his face. When talking about music, he gave people a very pure feeling. He started learning the piano at the age of 4 and made up his mind to become a professional pianist at the age of 10. The original intention on the road of music remains unchanged, and he wants the next generation to experience the beauty of classical music.
Q: After playing the piano for many years, has your attitude towards music changed?
A: It hasn't changed since I was a child. For me, music is a way to express myself. I like to express myself with musical notes.
Q: In terms of personal music career, what dream or goal do you want to achieve?
A: As a pianist, I hope that my long-term goal is to increase the types of repertoire I can play and be able to challenge various genres of music. On the other hand, I am now also planning a music festival of my own, and I am also holding some activities aimed at children, so that children have the opportunity to get in touch with classical music.
Q: Is there any difference between adults and children playing classical music?
A: I think adults and children actually listen to the music the same way. Mainly because some children may not be familiar with classical music, I hope that through activities, children can try to play, so as to get in touch with and enjoy classical music, and make them become interested in learning more about classical music music.
Go out for a walk when you're tired from practice
Nobuyuki Tsujii just flew to Hong Kong from the UK on the day of the interview, and held a concert at the University of Hong Kong the next day; two days later, he went to Singapore non-stop to prepare for another performance. The busy schedule was driven by his love for music. Apart from playing the piano, he likes to travel in mountains and rivers, and his accumulated life experience can also be shown via music.
Q: You frequently perform around the world, do you feel tired when practicing piano or learning new movements?
A: Because I love playing the piano very, very much, I have never hated practicing. Sometimes I am too tired from practice, so I go for a walk, take a swim, or climb a mountain to change my mood.
Q: Do you have any encouragement and advice for beginning pianists?
A: Of course the most important thing is to practice. I hope they enjoy it and love to play. Besides, I hope they will have many experiences outside of music. I myself like hiking, fishing, and pottery. Through these diversions, I can relax myself and accumulate various experiences with each performance, so that I can improve my performance to a higher level.
Q: In terms of pursuing and realizing dreams, what can you share with some younger friends?
A: The most important thing is to find something you like, and then try it, find your dream and move towards it; I also hope that young people try various challenges as much as possible, and find what they want to do in the process.
Wen˙Zhu Lingyun
{ picture } Huang Zhidong
{Art} Zhang Yuqi
{Editor} Cuili Wang
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****** END OF INTERVIEW******
This interview was mentioned in an Official Nobuyuki Tsujii Instagram posted from Hong Kong ("お昼に香港に到着した後、早速取材を受け、After arriving in Hong Kong at noon, I was immediately interviewed) , with a photo to show it.
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